By Umaid Ali
Islamabad: The federal health ministry has written to the interior ministry seeking registration of criminal cases against eight suspended PIMS officials identified for action in the interim inquiry into the neonatal nursery fire that killed 14 newborns, the National Assembly health committee was informed on Monday.
An additional secretary of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination told the National Assembly Standing Committee on Health that the letter had been sent in line with recommendations of the prime minister-appointed inquiry committee.
He said the ministry was implementing the interim inquiry’s recommendations, including departmental proceedings and criminal action against the officials concerned. The inquiry committee has not yet issued its final report, and its forensic examination to determine the exact source of ignition remains under way.
The interim report had identified eight PIMS officials for suspension and further action after the August 26 fire at the neonatal nursery of the Maternal and Child Health Centre. It did not conclusively determine whether the fire began in an incubator, warmer, air-conditioner, plug, socket, wiring or another component.
However, it said an internal electrical or equipment-related failure remained plausible, while identifying prima facie failures in fire safety, emergency exits, evacuation arrangements, staffing, emergency notification, security coordination and implementation of responsibilities.
The NA committee, chaired by Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, raised questions over the interim report and the CCTV footage of the incident presented by PIMS officials.
Chairman Malani said the footage was incomplete and did not provide a clear account of how the fire began. He said there had been conflicting explanations, including an initial account that a spark had come from an air-conditioner and a later assertion by the former PIMS executive director that the air-conditioner was not functional.
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal told the committee that the inquiry panel had the fullest first-hand information because it had examined the incident and received briefings from the concerned institutions.
He said the ministry had not intervened in the inquiry and that no separate inspection was pursued after the prime minister constituted the inquiry committee on the day of the fire. He said forensic examination was necessary before a definitive cause could be stated.
The minister said the inquiry committee remained active and would explain the basis for action against officials, including their suspension. He said it would also clarify the decision to announce a Rs10 million award for nurse Razia, who was recognised by the government after the emergency.
Several lawmakers questioned the CCTV footage. MNA Zehra Wadood said the footage shown to them was difficult to understand, while the chairman said the committee had reservations about whether the interim report clearly recorded the number of newborns present in the nursery.
Fifteen newborns were in the affected nursery when the fire broke out in the early hours of August 26. Fourteen died and one was rescued. The interim inquiry report said CCTV showed the fire becoming visible at around 6:38am, with the unit filling with smoke within minutes.
MNA Alia Kamran raised objections to the composition of the inquiry committee and asked why criminal cases had not yet been registered. She said the matter required accountability, while noting that these were her observations during the committee meeting.
The committee was informed subsequently that the health ministry had formally referred the matter to the interior ministry for registration of criminal cases against the eight officials identified in the interim inquiry.
Kamal also told the committee that PIMS could not be effectively run under its existing governance structure, regardless of who was appointed executive director.
The issue arose when Chairman Malani questioned the appointment of the new PIMS executive director, a pathologist who is also executive director of the National Institute of Health. The minister said the PIMS rules required the executive director to be appointed from within the hospital, but these had been relaxed for the new appointment by the prime minister’s office.
“The new executive director will also not be able to run PIMS,” Kamal said, adding that the present system itself needed reform. The chairman and several members agreed that the hospital’s governance structure required an overhaul.
The minister said the ministry had only learnt after the nursery tragedy that another fire had occurred at the PIMS Female Nursing Hostel in July, but the then executive director had not reported it to either the minister or the ministry.
Members also questioned the fact that Deputy Executive Director Dr Aneza Jalil was holding nine additional responsibilities. A PIMS joint executive director confirmed that she was carrying multiple charges.
MNA Alia Kamran sought details of the newborns who died and records of procurement and installation of fire-safety systems at PIMS over the past five years. The minister assured the committee that the information would be provided.
Ends